Police arrest 16 members of neo-Nazi group on Australia Day

Fifteen men and a boy from different parts of Australia have been arrested in Adelaide today, including one charged with displaying a Nazi symbol.

Members of the National Socialist Network (NSN), a neo-Nazi group that has been monitored by authorities for many months, were photographed dressed in black, wearing sunglasses and waving Australian flags as they marched through Adelaide on Australia Day.

Vision of the men showed them chanting “Australia for the white man” and banging a drum while walking, as well as singing Waltzing Matilda at the city’s war memorial.

Police said all of those charged were NSN members.

They released a detailed breakdown of the 16 people arrested, revealing most had travelled to South Australia from NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Police were photographed pinning NSN members to the ground during arrests at the Parklands.

Nearby a peaceful protest was taking place involving people opposing the national day being held on January 26.

The disruption forced the “Survival Day” event organisers to delay their march until police gave the all-clear. 

Police said the arrests were people “not involved in organised events or protests”.

“Police were pleased with the overwhelming majority of community members who attended the Adelaide CBD today to participate in the events held, including the Tour Down Under and other Australia Day events,” police said.

The 16 charged will likely appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The arrests and charges include: